NTMS Letters for Lumberjacks

October was a month filled with excitement and memorable experiences at NTMS! Our entire school enjoyed a field trip to the historic Lockport Palace Theatre, where students participated in an interactive showing of Hocus Pocus. Following the trip, we rushed back to campus in time for the TNT Car Parade before wrapping up the day with our annual NTMS Pep Rally.

This month also marked an important transition for our school community as we wished Dr. Pray the very best in his new role as Principal of Wilson High School. While we continue our search for a new Assistant Principal, we are fortunate to welcome Mr. Dan Johnson to NTMS. Mr. Johnson is a retired principal who has extensive experience within the North Tonawanda City School District, having served at the Intermediate School, High School, and Spruce School. We are thrilled to have him supporting our students and staff during this transition.

As we conclude the first marking period, I encourage all students and families to stay focused on academic progress. Our teaching teams regularly communicate assignments and expectations through classroom homework boards located in each team hallway, Schoology, and ParentSquare. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held during the first week of December. Teachers will be reaching out directly to families when a conference is recommended or needed.

As we move into the colder months, regular school attendance remains one of the most important factors in student success. This includes arriving at school on time each day. Homeroom begins promptly at 7:30 a.m., and students are expected to be seated and ready to learn when the first bell rings.

Research consistently shows that missing even one day of school each week can have a significant impact on both academic achievement and student well-being. When students fall behind, the stress of trying to catch up can create a cycle that often leads to additional absences. If your family is experiencing challenges with attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help and partner with you to support your child's success.

Thank you for your continued support of NTMS. Together, we can ensure that every student has a successful and rewarding school year.

Warmly,

Lauren Miranto
Principal, North Tonawanda Middle School

Yearbooks Are Now on Sale!

Please remember that yearbooks are not automatically provided to middle school students. If your child would like a yearbook, one must be purchased in order to receive one.

There will be additional opportunities to purchase a yearbook throughout the school year. However, before placing an order, please check your records to make sure you have not already purchased one.

Last year, we experienced several duplicate orders because families forgot they had already placed an order. Taking a moment to verify your purchase can help prevent unnecessary duplicate orders.

Picture Retake Day will be held on November 13th. This is also the day that our NTMS clubs and student organizations will have their group pictures taken for the yearbook.

Students needing a picture retake will be called to the gym at their scheduled time. If your child was absent on the original picture day or would like to have their picture retaken, please be sure they are prepared for their scheduled session.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure every student is represented in our school yearbook!

The week leading up to the TNT game is always a highlight of the school year. This long-standing tradition, rooted in school spirit and pride, brings not only our school together but the entire North Tonawanda community.

Throughout the week, students enjoyed participating in a variety of spirit days, showing their creativity and team pride. However, Friday was undoubtedly a favorite for many. The day began with team breakfasts and activities, followed by the annual car parade and our exciting middle school pep rally.

The energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit displayed by our students were truly incredible. Be sure to check out the video to see just how pumped everyone was throughout the day!

Congratulations to Team Orion for being crowned the 2026 TNT Week Champions! Their teamwork, participation, and school spirit helped earn them this well-deserved title.

On October 23rd, the entire NTMS student body enjoyed a memorable trip to see Hocus Pocus as part of an interactive theater experience. This was much more than a traditional movie showing. Throughout the performance, actors brought scenes to life by acting alongside the film, interacting with the audience, and even tossing candy into the crowd. Several students were selected to join in the fun on stage, making the experience even more engaging and memorable. The combination of live entertainment, audience participation, and a classic Halloween favorite created an unforgettable day for our students and staff.

November 18th- Early Release Day, students are dismissed at 12:45, lunches are still served

November 24th- Students will be released 15 minutes early as required by NYS. NTMS dismissal will be at 2:15 rather than our normal 2:30

November 25-27th- No School for Thanksgiving Break

December 3rd- Parent Teacher Conferences- teachers will reach out if a conference is needed

This year, we launched a new initiative to celebrate the many outstanding students who make NTMS such a special place. Every day, our students demonstrate kindness, responsibility, perseverance, and leadership, and we wanted a meaningful way to recognize their positive contributions.

Through our NTMS Shout Out Program, teachers can nominate students for their positive efforts and actions. Students who are recognized have their names announced during the morning announcements and receive a $5 Lumberjack Buck to spend at the school store.

To make the recognition even more meaningful, each student's Shout Out is displayed on the wall in their team hallway, serving as a visible reminder of their hard work and positive impact on our school community. We are proud to celebrate these students and the many ways they help make NTMS a great place to learn and grow.

Regular school attendance is essential to academic achievement and long-term success. At NTMS, we are striving to maintain an overall attendance rate of 94% or higher. As the school year progresses and the weather begins to change, attendance rates often start to decline. We encourage all families to make school attendance a priority and ensure that students are present and ready to learn each day.

To help promote attendance and celebrate our students, we held a surprise attendance incentive day in October. Classrooms with outstanding attendance were rewarded with a sweet treat! Congratulations to Mr. Lemke's, Mrs. Worrall's, Mrs. Sturgeon's, and Mrs. Zoerb's classes for earning the attendance challenge reward.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student attendance. Every day counts, and being in school each day helps students build the skills, knowledge, and habits necessary for future success.